talk to me about money and what it can buy.
But it can't buy back a girl's dreams once they're gone.
― V.C. Andrews
Last Plea
I was beginning to have second thoughts about getting involved with The Todd Blinker situation.
Yes, Erin and Tom were my students and needed help, but what made me think I should be the the one to intervene? I could simply direct Tom to take the evidence to the police, but being underage, that might cause problems.
I suppose I now had to see the process through since I contacted James Quintrell, the teacher's federation lawyer, and couldn't very well back out now, even though I wanted to.
Tom hung back at the end of class again and made sure the door was closed this time before handing me the copy of the lawyer's letter.
It went into great detail about Todd's past affair with another underage student at Araby Academy. I now saw why the police were so focussed on knowing whether Lorraine and I had any contact with that school.
"I should warn you, Teach, Erin told Todd Blinker she was giving you the evidence. She was so angry at him she sort of lost it and realized afterwards she shouldn't have said anything."
"What would it matter, Tom―if Blinker is guilty and I see the proof what can he do about it?"
"It's not so much what he could do about it, it's just the fact the dude is scary. I've seen his anger a couple of times and I certainly wouldn't want to be on the other end of it."
"Thanks for your concern, Tom, but I already contacted a lawyer and he'll accompany me to the police when we present it. By the way, How's Erin getting along at home with her parents?"
"Oh, Erin's not at home―she's staying with her aunt―she's still angry at her parents for selling her out and vows she'll never go home again."
I felt sorry for Erin being caught in this mess and having no support at home. At least she had an aunt she could stay with―some teenagers had less.
I met Lorraine for lunch and told her I was planning on taking the letter directly to the lawyer after work.
"Please be careful, Matt―Tom's right―Todd's anger has gotten him into trouble before. Maybe you should ask James about police protection if Todd is allowed out on bail pending trial."
I nodded. "I will ask, but don't worry, I'll also be careful.Maybe you could go to the townhouse after work to let Tess out or take her for a walk?"
"I'll do that and maybe we could order in Chinese food tonight from the Mandarin and kick back before the fire."
"That's a great idea. It'll take our mind off this depressing business."
The afternoon, however, seemed to drag on interminably as it always does when you're anxious to do something. Finally, the dismissal bell rang and I waited until the students filed out before packing up my briefcase.
But as I turned to shut off the light and leave, Sylvia was standing in the doorway.
"I know what you said last time we spoke but I'm here on another matter. Can we talk?"
"I have an appointment downtown Syl, maybe another time?"
"It'll just take a moment, Matt―it's really important."
"All I have is a moment, " I sighed, setting down my briefcase.
"Todd told me about the letter Erin is giving you. If you take that letter to the police my father will be ruined. He found out about Todd's affair with your student and sent him away to B.C. and told him not to come back. He could have placed him in Araby Academy but he didn't. As a matter of fact, Daddy wants out of the school business and wants to divest himself of any interest in Haven or Araby Academy. If you hand over the letter, I could also be implicated. I'm asking you not to do this as a favour to me."
"A favour, Syl? Todd has abused his position of authority and had an affair with an underage student who supposedly is under his supervision. You can't ask me to ignore this."
"Daddy didn't ignore it―he fired Todd and banished him from the province and paid the girl's parents a huge sum of money in damages."
I tried to control my temper. "I don't have time to debate this now, but Todd has committed a crime and must be brought to justice. This is at least the second time, so he's a serial offender. Sending him to B.C. is only transferring the problem elsewhere."
"But I helped you out when you needed a favour and this may also implicate me."
"If you helped cover up a crime then you are in fact an accomplice. If not, you have nothing to worry about. But your father should never have tried to turn education into a money-making business."
"I can't believe you won't even try to help me."
"You know what, Syl?" I asked, my voice trembling. "For once I'm standing up and saying no to you. I care about you but if you were involved in this mess, then you have to take what's coming."
I somehow managed to muster the courage to walk past her and out to my car. I didn't look back―I couldn't. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, but knew in my gut it was right and prayed she wasn't involved in the mess...
And hoped for her sake she wasn't.